Martha (Kostecka) Larson of Havre, 88, died Thursday, March 20, 2008, after a long illness at Northern Montana Hospital care center.
Martha’s funeral service will be held 11a. m. Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre. Visitation will begin at the church one hour prior to services. Burial will take place at Highland Cemetery immediately following the funeral. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home in Havre is in charge of arrangements Martha was born Dec. 28, 1919, in Havre to Joseph and Nettie Kostecka. Martha was the youngest of three children raised on a small family farm near Box Elder. She attended and graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1937. She worked at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre until she met Earl “Bud” Larson at a north Havre wedding and country dance and they begin dating and married on Aug. 31, 1939. Together they carved out a living from the land, farming and ranching north of Havre, raising three children, and sharing most of their lives. Martha is survived by her husband of 68 years, Earl Larson; sister, Marcella Ellis of Long Beach, Calif.; brother, Stanley Kostecka of Gig Harbor, Wash.; son, Robert (Georgia) Larson of Havre; daughters, Mavis (Ron) Lill of Golden, Colo.; Marie (Bill) Duncan of Hugh Springs, Texas; her seven grandchildren, Laura (Chris) Merchant of Great Falls, Nichole (Jeff) Newton of Great Falls, Dominique (Shawn) Preputin of Havre, Darla (C.B.) Bomberger of Lincoln, Neb., Heather (Eric) Rassmussen of Denver, Colo., Channon Dasher of Houston, Texas and Jamie Cunningham of Paris, Texas, and her 13 great-grand children, Jordyn and Corbin Merchant, Taylor and Zach Newton, Stephen and Koby Preputin, Josh and Jesse Bomberger, Justin (Jessica) Stansell, Chelsea, Stephanie, and Katie Mabry, and Shea Gray. Martha was a member of the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, the Eagles Auxiliary, Auxiliary Drill Team, and was a 4H Leader. Her lifelong interests were with her family, her church, and her many friends. She enjoyed her garden, sewing, traveling, and going to dances with Earl. She was a lady. She was kind, always willing to help others, and respected in all her endeavors. She was loved by her husband, family, and all who knew her; she will be missed by many. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, a brotherin- law and a sister-in-law. Memorials are suggested to Northern Montana Care Center- Special Care Unit P.O. Box 1231 Havre, MT. 59501 or to the charitable organization of one’s choice. Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/ obituaries.
